Collapsible tube



Patented Sept. 24, 1935 STATE ATNT r 3 Claims.

This invention relates to collapsible tubes suitable for containing tooth pastes, shaving, and other creams, or medical or other paste compounds.

An object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved collapsible tube.

More specifically, this invention has for an object the provision of a closure member substantially of the same diameter as an expanded col- :lapsible tube to which the closure-member may be permanently, as distinguished from removably, fixed and sealed, whereby to avoid the expense of threading the neck of such a collapsible tube and a cap therefor, and whereby to avoid the inconvenience and loss of time resulting from detaching such threaded caps from the threaded neck and replacing the same in the use of the tube.

Another object of the invention is the provision .1; of a unitary collapsible tube and closure assembly which is sightly in appearance, inexpensive to manufacture, and convenient for use.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combination and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter more fully de scribed and claimed, in connection with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a collapsible tube embodying the features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan View partially in section, of a novel closure member for collapsible tubes;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section through the closure member shown in Fig. 2, and illustrates a suitable connection between the closure member and the collapsible tube;

4 is a fragmentary elevation, partially in section, of a collapsible tube illustrating a slightly modified form of closure member; and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the closure member shown in Fig. 4.

In order to accomplish the foregoing objects, the novel and improved collapsible tube of the present invention includes, as illustrated in the drawing, a container i I of the squeeze-type which has an annular mouth or open end l2 and a closed end 52. A hollow cylindrical member or cap 53 having a fiat portion or crown M and depending side walls or a skirt 5% integral with the crown M, of substantially the same diameter as the container H or its mouth or open end 52, is adapted to close the open end 52.

The cap I3 is formed with an enlarged portion or flange l6 marginally of the depending skirt 65 for engaging the mouth or open end E2 of the tube H where the cap i3 may be suitably secured to the tube as by soldering or welding for the purpose of providing a seal with the tube l I, and for the purpose of permanently, as distin- 5 guished from removably, connecting the cap and the tube to form a. unitary assembly.

A discharge orifice or slot ll is cut or otherwise formed in the depending skirt E5 of the cap l3 between the open end I2 of the tube ii and 10 the crown M of the cap. The cap i3 is also provided with an arcuate recess or slot I8 cut or otherwise formed in and concentrically with the crown i4 and subtending preferably an angle of from 30 to 45 for a purpose which will more fully be described presently.

A second cap I?) is rotatably secured as by a rivet 2i coaxially with the tube I l and the cap IS on the crown M, and has a crown 22 and depending side walls or a skirt 23 integral with the crown 22 and outwardly adjacent the crown is and the depending skirt 55, respectively.

The second cap [9 may be polygonal (see Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive) or round (see Figs. 4 and 5), so long as the inside of the cap I9 conforms sub- 25 stantially to the configuration of the outside of the cap i3. Preferably, the external shape of the cap I9 is provided hexagonal as shown in Fig. 1, or octagonal as shown in Fig. 2, to facilitate the rotation of thecap by means of the thumb of the hand holding the tube H in the use of the novel unitary tube and closure assembly.

For cooperating with the discharge orifice or slot H in the cap it, a slot or orifice 2% is provided in a. side wall or the depending skirt 23 of the cap 59. This slot or orifice is in such a position that when the cap it is rotated or rocked about the rivet 2i, the orifice 24 is adapted to register with the discharge orifice H for providing a discharge outlet or port for the tube H. For the purpose of limiting the travel or throw of the cap is, a pin or lug 25 depends from the crown 22 and engages in the arcuate recess or slot !8 in the crown M. Preferably this pin or lug is upset to provide an enlarged portion 26 for bearing against the under side of the crown M to hold the adjacent crowns M and 22 in their proper respective positions. The arrangement of the pin 25 and the slot i3 is such that the cap 99 may be rocked between a position wherein the orifices or slots ll and 24 are in registration and a position wherein the slot or orifice 24 is angularly displaced from the slot or orifice ll. In the latter position the discharge orifice or slot IT is closed, as shown in Fig. 2.

Thus it will be seen that the invention provides a unitary tube and closure assembly of substan- I tially the same diameter throughout its length,

wherein the closure member is permanently, as

distinguished from removably, attached to the open end of the tube, and wherein the closure member may be readily and conveniently manipulated by the thumb of the hand holding the unitary assembly without necessitating the re movalof a separate member which may be dropped or lost after it is detached from the tube. It will also be seen that the cap l9 and the cap 13 nested therein with the registerable oriffices 24 and i1, provide a paste dispensing control valve and that, by virtue of the unitary assembly, the threading operation on the neck of the tube and the threading operation of a separate cap for fitting the threaded neck of the tube, are avoided, with the result of a more convenient, less expensive, and more sightly collapsible tube.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A paste dispenser comprising a'collapsible tubular container of substantially uniform diameter throughout its length and having an open end, a cap having a crown and a skirt portion integral with said crown, said skirt portion having a peripheral flange at its end opposite said crown, said peripheral flange being permanently secured in said open end of said container whereby said cap provides a closure member for the open end of said container, said skirt portion having a paste dispensing aperture therein intermediate said flange and said crown, another cap conforming substantially to the configuration of and rotatably secured to the first said cap and having a crown and a skirt portion integral with said eter throughout its length and having an open end, a cap having a crown and a skirt portion integral with said crown, said skirt portion being permanently secured in said open end of said container whereby said cap provides a closure member for the open end of said container, said skirt 15 portion having a paste dispensing aperture therein, another cap conforming substantially to the configuration of and rotatably secured to the first said cap and having a crown and a skirt portion integral with said crown, the last said crown and skirt portion being outwardly adjacent the first said crown and skirt portion respectively, the skirt portion of said other cap being of substantially the same diameter as said container and having an aperture registerable with said paste dispensing aperture, and means for limiting the rotation of said other cap.

3. In a collapsible tube having an open end, a

closure assembly therefor comprising a pair of coaxial hollow caps nested one within the other, the inner of said caps having a skirt portion extending outside of the outer of said caps, said skirt portion having a peripheral flange adapted to be secured in said open end, said skirt portion having an outlet port therein, pivot means rotatably securing the outer of said caps coaxially to the inner of said caps, the outer of said caps being provided with a skirt portion bearing on said peripheral flange and having a port registerable with said outlet port, and means for limiting the rotation of the outer cap.

JOSEPH B. ROERIG. 

